Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 29 Jun 2014

1. NOW MILIBAND’S OWN ADVISER BLASTS HIM

Ed Miliband’s policy chief has launched a thinly veiled attack on the Labour leader, accusing him of pursuing “cynical” policies designed only to “chime with focus groups”. Jon Cruddas also accused Miliband’s inner circle of wielding a “profound dead hand at the centre” to stop the party adopting more courageous policies.

‘Cynical’ Miliband is blasted by his own adviser

2. MINISTERS ATTACK ‘COWARDLY’ EU CHIEFS

Tory cabinet ministers have attacked “cowardly” EU leaders as they unite behind David Cameron in the wake of Jean-Claude Juncker’s appointment as the next president of the European Commission. Health secretary Jeremy Hunt accused EU leaders of “cowardice” for opposing Juncker in private, only to back him publicly, and said Britain would not “take part in some grubby face-saving deal”.

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3. NEWS INTERNATIONAL AND IRA MOLE

News International paid private detectives to unlawfully access the phone records of a leading IRA mole, claims the Independent On Sunday. Top Scotland Yard detectives are analysing a 2006 invoice seized from a private investigator which charged News International £850 for “Scappaticci phone records”. Freddie Scappaticci was Britain’s top agent inside the IRA.

4. CAMERON WARNED OVER NHS COLLAPSE

The NHS could collapse within five years – that’s the message given to David Cameron by senior Tories, and a former coalition health minister. Paul Burstow, a former Lib Dem health minister, says the NHS needs an extra £15bn from the Treasury over the next five years "if you don't want the system to collapse during the course of the next parliament".

Cameron warned NHS could collapse in five years

5. ENGLAND FAN’S EAR LOBE BITEN OFF

An England football fan had his ear lobe bitten off during a racist attack at the World Cup tournament, says the Sunday People. The victim says his assailant called him “a black ****” as he bit his ear. The attacker also told the victim: “You shouldn’t be supporting England.” The attack happened five days before Luis Suarez bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini.

6. CBI SAYS BRITAIN MUST STAY IN EUROPEAN UNION

Britain should stay in the EU, says the CBI. Director general John Cridland tells The Observer that EU membership boosts jobs, economic growth and the UK’s “competitiveness”. Coming hot on the heels of the appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker, the intervention is a blow to Tory MPs hoping to use the Juncker controversy to engineer Britain’s exit from the EU.

7. BRAZIL REACH WORLD CUP QUARTER FINALS

Brazil reached the World Cup quarter-finals with a dramatic penalty shootout win against Chile yesterday. The hosts will face Colombia, who beat Uruguay 2-0 last night. Brazil’s goalkeeper Julio Cesar made two saves in the shootout, denying Mauricio Pinilla and Alexis Sanchez. Uruguay, lacking the suspended Luis Suarez, lost to Colombia in Rio.

8. RUSSIAN FIGHTER JETS ARRIVE IN IRAQ

Iraq has received the first batch of fighter jets it ordered from Russia to help it tackle the offensive by ISIS insurgents. The defence ministry said five Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft would enter service in "three to four days". The government claimed yesterday it had retaken Tikrit but rebels, who control large areas of the north and west of the country, dispute this.

9. CHARLES LOBBIED ON GRAMMAR SCHOOLS

Prince Charles tried to persuade Tony Blair's government to expand grammar schools, David Blunkett has revealed. Speaking to BBC Radio 4, the former education secretary said Prince Charles "didn't like it" when his request was refused. The prince also discussed complementary medicine and climate change with other Labour ministers.

10. WILLIAMS IN SHOCK WIMBLEDON EXIT

The five-time Wimbledon champion Serena Williams suffered her earliest defeat since 2005 yesterday, losing to France's Alize Cornet in the third round. Cornet won 1-6 6-3 6-4 on Court One to claim her second victory of the year over the world number one. Williams said: “I think I made a few errors too many. She was going for her shots. She played really well today."